Coolant insert with variable discharge orifice



Feb. 10, 1970 J. R. IRWIN ETAL 3, 9

COOLANT INSERT WITH VARIABLE DISCHARGE ORIFICE Filed April .23, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOE?! R .17 win We ZZZdmDBedX ATTORNEY Feb. 10, 1970 R. IR IN ETAL 3,494,141

.COOLANT INSERT WITH VAHIAB LE DISCHARGE ORIFICE Filed April 2:5. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet z JafinR. lz'wz'n W'z'Z Z far/1D. Bee)? ATTORNEYS United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 62294 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A self-cooling, disposable container is disclosed having a coolant insert therein which is interconnected with an end closure through a discharge tube having a variable orifice that governs the flow of refrigerant from the coolant insert after the coolant insert has been vented to insure that only gas is released. The end closure is provided with a tear strip and the discharge tube is secured to the end closure in such a manner that upon the initial severing of the tear strip only the coolant insert is vented to enable the contents of the container to become cooled prior to further severing of the tear strip which forms a vent and pouring spout for the contents of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to self-cooling, disposable containers and, more particularly, to an improved coolant insert having a variable orifice that is utilized in such containers.

The present invention is designed to meet the needs for a disposable, self-cooling container which can be used where normal auxiliary refrigeration is not available. Such a container is particularly well adapted for use by sportsmen, travelers, personnel of the armed forces, picnickers, and other individuals engaged in outdoor activities where normal means of auxiliary cooling are not readily available.

The simple, yet novel, design of the present invention not only enables such container to be economically manufactured, but also provides a container which exhibits many advantages over the self-cooling containers of the prior art.

One advantage of the present invention is that the design insures that the refrigerant within the coolant insert when vented to the atmosphere, leaves the insert as a gas thereby improving the cooling obtained and keeping the volatile refrigerant from boiling over. By causing the expansion of the refrigerant to take place within the coolant insert and the discharge tube, maximum cooling of the contents of the container for a given amount of refrigerant is obtained through the vaporization of the refrigerant liquid which causes the absorption of the latent heat of evaporization of the refrigerant from the contents of the container.

The preferred form of the present invention comprises a velocity actuated variable orifice contained within the discharge tube of the coolant insert of a self-cooling, disposable container. The variable orifice comprises a chamber having an inlet and an outlet opening along with a floating orifice member which is housed within the chamber. The inlet opening of the chamber is shaped to allow fluid refrigerant to by-pass the floating orifice member when that member engages the inlet end of the chamber at lower fluid velocities and pressures of the system. The outlet of the chamber serves as a fixed orifice having a size selected to attain a desired volumetric flow of refrigerant at the lowest fluid pressure and velocity. The surface of the chamber adjacent the outlet is shaped to cooperate with the floating orifice member so that when the floating orifice member engages the outlet end of the 3,494,141 Patented Feb. 10, 1970 chamber during the periods of higher fluid velocities and pressures, fluid passing through the chamber is caused to flow through an orifice in the member having a size designed to attain a desired volumetric flow of refrigerant at the highest fluid pressure and velocity. With the above construction at peak pressure and fluid velocity, the floating orifice member is forced into the fixed outlet orifice so that the flow through the chamber is governed by the orifice in the floating member to insure only a gas is released from the coolant insert. As the system pressure and the velocity of the fluid refrigerant decreases, the floating orifice member falls within the chamber thereby causing the flow of fluid to be controlled by the outlet orifice which is also designed to insure that only gas is released from the coolant insert at the lower fluid pressures and velocities.

The above-mentioned objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the upper surface of the end closure of a self-cooling container;

FIGURE 2 is a side view, partially in section, of a container provided with the end closure and having a coolant insert provided with a variable orifice of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view partially in section of one end of a container showing the tear strip after it has been initially severed to form the vent for the cooling insert;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view partially in section of the upper portion of the container showing the tear strip almost completely removed;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a portion of an end closure showing the tear strip completely removed;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the exhaust tube of the cooling insert illustrating the velocity actuated variable orifice;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of the velocity actuated variable orifice taken substantially along lines 77 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of the velocity actuated variable orifice taken substantially along lines 8-8 of FIGURE 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIGURES 1 through 5, a self-cooling, disposable container for carbonated soft drinks, beer and the like is indicated by reference character 20. The selfcooling, disposable container comprises a cylindrical casing 22, end closures 24, 24 and coolant insert 26 having a discharge tube with a variable orifice therein. While a preferred form of the present invention, setting forth the principles and mode of operation of the present invention, will be described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the exact structure illustrated and that various equivalents can be resorted to without departing from the principles of the present invention.

The peripheral edges of end closures 24, 24', which are preferably made of aluminum or some other commonly utilized metal, are secured to casing 22 by means of rolled seams 28 or other conventional seams. End closure 24 is provided with a removable area or tear strip 30 defined by a score line 32 in the upper surface of the end closure. The inner spaced-apart portions of score line 32 extend substantially parallel with respect to each other and are joined at their innermost ends by a curved portion of the score line to define an elongated segment of tear strip 30 that forms a vent 34 when the tear strip is initially severed. The outer spaced-apart portions of score line 32 diverge with respect to each other and are joined at their outermost ends by a curved portion of the score line to define an enlarged segment of the tear strip 30 that forms a pouring spout 36 when completely removed. The innermost segment of the tear strip 30 is provided with a ring pull tab 38 for facilitating removal of the tear strip which is spot welded or otherwise suitably secured to the innermost end of the tear strip.

The underside of end closure 24 is provided with a hollow metallic nipple 40 which is centered beneath the innermost end of the tear strip 30. The nipple 40 is flared at its base 42 where it is welded or otherwise secured to the underside of the end closure in such a manner that the base 42 of the nipple is sealed to the underside of the end closure. The lower portion of the hollow nipple is cylindrical in shape and receives the uppermost end of the discharge tube 44 of the coolant insert 26 with the discharge tube being welded, fused, adhesively bonded or otherwise secured to the nipple in such a manner that the nipple 40 and discharge tube 44 are sealed together.

Insert 26 is made of plastic, aluminum or other suitable materials with the walls of the hollow insert being of sufficient thickness to withstand the stresses exerted by pressurized refrigerant (liquified Freon-12 or other suitable refrigerants) on the interior of the insert. Spacer elements 46, 48 can be provided to extend between the coolant insert 26 and casing 22 and end closure 24' to help position the insert within the container. These spacers can be integral with the insert, as when the spacers and insert are molded as a unit, or the spacers can be welded, fused or otherwise bonded to the exterior surface of the insert.

In operation, the tear strip 30 of the end closure 24 is initially severed by pulling up on ring pull tab 34 to form vent 34. The initial severing of the tear strip 30 vents the coolant insert 26 to the atmosphere and is accompanied by the usual popping sound made when tear strips are initially severed indicating to the consumer that the coolant insert is being vented. Once the coolant insert is vented, the refrigerant rapidly vaporizes and passes up through discharge tube 44, nipple 40 and through vent 34 formed in the end closure above the nipple. The evaporation of the refrigerant liquid causes absorption of the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant from the contents within the container cooling the same. Due to the central location of the vent 34, with regard to the nipple 40, and the fact that the nipple 40 is sealingly affixed to the end closure 24 while the discharge tube 44 is sealingly affixed to the nipple, only the refrigerant is vented and the contents of beverage chamber 50 are neither exposed to the atmosphere nor the refrigerant.

After the cooling process is completed, the time required for cooling being as long as it takes for the vapor phase of the refrigerant to become fully exhausted, the tear strip is torn completely off to form the pouring spout 36 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. Due to the narrow configuration of the tear strip adjacent the periphery of the base 42 of the nipple 40, the beverage chamber 50 is initially vented to the atmosphere through a small opening to prevent excessive loss of carbonation or the foaming of the beverage which has already been minimized due to the fact that the beverage within the chamber 50 is cooled prior to the exposure of the beverage to the atmosphere. The enlarged portion of the tear strip, upon removal, forms a suitable pouring spout 36 in end closure 24 to facilitate the pouring of the precooled beverage from the container.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 to 8, a preferred form of the velocity actuated variable orifice of the present invention, generally indicated by reference character 60, is illustrated setting forth the principles and mode of operation of the orifice. The velocity actuated variable orifice 60 comprises a chamber 62 having inlet and outlet openings 64, 66, respectively and a floating orifice mem- 4 ber 68 which is housed within the chamber. The chamber and floating orifice member can be made of aluminum, plastic or other suitable materials with the material used in and the size of the floating orifice member being dictated by the refrigerant velocity, density and viscosity at peak system pressure.

The chamber 62 is located within discharge tube 44 of the cooling insert and is provided with a plurality of ribs 70 which extend radially inward from the inner tube wall to guide floating orifice member 68. The inlet end of chamber 62 serves only as a retaining means for the floating orifice member 68, the flow of refrigerant through the chamber being governed by outlet orifice 66 and floating orifice member 68. Consequently, the terminal portions 72 of ribs 70 flare inwardly to prevent the floating orifice member 68 from completely obstructing inlet aperture 64 during the latter part of the cooling cycle when the pressure and flow of the fluid refrigerant has decreased and the floating orifice member falls within the chamber. The terminal portions of ribs 70 by permitting a flow of refrigerant past the floating orifice member 68 enables orifice 66 to control the flow of the refrigerant in the latter stages of the cycle.

Orifice 66, as best shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, is circular in configuration and cooperates with floating orifice member 68 during those portions of the cycle when the peak pressure and velocity of the fluid refrigerant are experienced to force the flow of fluid through orifice 74 of the floating member. The size of orifice 66 is dictated by the volumetric flow rate desired at the lowest system pressure for a fluid refrigerant having a certain velocity, density and viscosity.

Floating orifice member 68 is cylindrical in form with a rounded upper end which cooperates with a complementary surface in the chamber end wall adjacent orifice 66 to form a seal when high pressure and fluid velocities are experienced in the system. The diameter of longitudinally extending orifice 74 formed therein is dictated by the volumetric flow rate desired and the fluid refrigerant velocities are experienced in the system. The diameter of longitudinally extending orifice 74 formed therein is dictated by the volumetric flow rate desired and the fluid refrigerant velocity, density and viscosity at peak system pressure.

In operation, when the coolant insert 26 is first vented to the atmosphere, the peak pressure and fluid velocity within discharge tube 44 forces the floating orifice member 68 into orifice 66 (as shown in solid line in FIGURE 6) so that the flow of fluid refrigerant through the chamber must pass through orifice 74 of the floating orifice member 68. In this manner, the coolant insert 26 is depressurized at a rate so that only gas is released from the exhaust tube. As the pressure in the coolant insert decreases and the velocity of the fluid within discharge tube 44 decreases, the weighted floating orifice member 68 falls within the chamber (as shown in dashed line in FIG- URE 6) thereby allowing the fluid refrigerant to flow between the floating orifice member 68 and the sidewall of the chamber and out through orifice 66 which controls the flow of fluid refrigerant to insure that only a gas is released from the cooling insert. Of course, with a variable or slugging flow, the floating orifice member 68 will rise and fall in the tube according to the velocity, density and viscosity of the flowing fluid. As soon as the coolant insert is completely exhausted, the floating orifice member 68 comes to rest on the terminal portions 72 of the rib 70. After the cooling insert has been exhausted and the beverage within the container cooled, the consumer completes the opening of the container by completely removing the tear strip 30 from end closure 24.

While the preferred form of the variable orifice has been shown, it is also contemplated that a spring could be disposed between the floating orifice member 68 and fixed orifice 66 to urge the floating orifice member toward or away from the fixed orifice 66. In addition, it is contemplated that the variable orifice can be constructed within the discharge tube 44 by utilizing an erodable material secured to the interior of the tube. The erodable material initially has an orifice therein designed to attain the desired flow characteristics at peak refrigerant pressure and fluid velocity. As the exhaustion of the refrigerant from the coolant insert takes place and the system pressure and fluid velocity decreases, the size of the orifice increases due to the erosion of the material within the tube 44 and in this way, the size of the orifice changes to meet the requirements of the system at various pressures and flow velocity levels so that only a gas is released from the exhaust tube.

While the preferred form of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A coolant insert adapted to be utilized in a selfcooling container comprising:

a receptacle adapted to contain a volatile refrigerant,

said receptacle having a discharge means, said discharge means having an orifice and means for automatically reducing the size of said orifice initially and increasing said size as refrigerant escapes through said discharge means to insure only a gas is released from said discharge means when a refrigerant is exhausted from said coolant insert to obtain maximum absorption of the heat of evaporation of a refrigerant from media surrounding said coolant insert.

2. The coolant insert of claim 1 wherein:

said discharge means is a discharge tube and wherein said variable orifice means comprises a chamber within said discharge tube, said chamber having an inlet, said chamber having an outlet orifice and said chamber having a floating orifice member housed therein, and said floating orifice member having an orifice therein with said floating orifice member cooperating with said outlet orifice and said inlet so that the flow of refrigerant through said variable orifice means is governed by said orifice of said floating orifice member at high system fluid pressures and velocities and by said outlet orifice at low system fluid pressures and velocities.

3. A coolant insert adapted to be utilized in a selfcooling container and having a discharge tube provided with a variable orifice means for controlling fluid flow of refrigerant through said discharge tube when the pressure within said coolant insert is variable comprising:

a receptacle adapted to contain a volatile refrigerant and having a discharge tube;

a chamber within said discharge tube of said receptacle, said chamber having an outlet orifice and an inlet;

a floating orifice member housed within said chamber,

said floating orifice member having an orifice therein of a size to attain a desired volumetric flow at high system fluid pressure and velocity to insure only a gas is released from said discharge tube;

said outlet orifice being of a size to attain a desired volumetric flow at low system pressure to insure only a gas is released from said discharge tube; said outlet orifice cooperating with said floating orifice member at high system fluid pressures and velocities to cause fluid passing through said chamber to flow through said orifice in said floating orifice member; and

said inlet being shaped to allow fluid to by-pass said floating orifice member when said floating orifice member engages said inlet at lower system pressures and fluid velocities to cause fluid passing through said chamber to flow through said outlet orifice whereby only gas is released from said discharge tube during the discharge of refrigerant from said coolant insert.

4. The coolant insert of claim 3 wherein:

said chamber has means for keeping said floating orifice member properly aligned with respect to said outlet orifice and said inlet.

5. The coolant insert of claim 4 wherein:

said means for keeping said floating orifice member properly aligned with respect to said outlet orifice and said inlet comprises longitudinally extending ribs within said chamber.

6. The coolant insert of claim 3 wherein:

said floating orifice member is cylindrical with a rounded end portion which cooperates with a complementary surface of said outlet orifice to form a seal at high system fluid pressures and velocities and wherein said floating orifice member has a longitudinally extending orifice.

7. The coolant insert of claim 6 wherein:

said chamber has means for keeping said floating orifice member aligned with said outlet orifice so that said outlet orifice and said floating orifice member have a common center line.

8. A self-cooling container comprising:

first and second end closures secured to a casing;

a coolant insert with a volatile refrigerant within said container, said coolant insert having a discharge means, said discharge means having an orifice and means for automatically reducing the size of said orifice initially and increasing said size as refrigerant escapes through said discharge means to insure only a gas is released from said discharge means when said refrigerant is exhausted from said coolant insert to obtain maximum absorption of the heat of evaporation of said refrigerant from contents of said container surrounding said coolant insert.

9. A coolant insert adapted to be utilized in a selfcooling container comprising:

a receptacle adapted to contain a volatile refrigerant,

said receptacle having a discharge means, said discharge means having an orifice through which said refrigerant flows to escape and cool the contents of said container, means responsive to the pressure in said container to reduce the size of said orifice at high pressure and increase said size as the pressure falls upon outflow of refrigerant to control flow of refrigerant through said discharge means at varying fluid pressures and velocities and to insure only a gas is released from said discharge means when a refrigerant is exhausted from said receptacle to obtain maximum absorption of the heat of evaporation of a refrigerant from said contents.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,900,808 8/1959 Wang 62294 3,229,478 1/1966 Alonso 62371 3,257,821 6/1966 Warner 6237l 3,285,033 11/1966 Warner 62371 3,373,581 3/1968 Strader 62-371 WILLIAM J. WYE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

